Vegas is last stop for James Anderson as a Spur

Dec 28, 2011; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard James Anderson (25) shoots against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at the AT

The writing has been on the wall for a while. James Anderson’s time in San Antonio is over. He had potential to be a solid shooting guard that followed the Big Three era, but an injury his rookie season set him back, and he never really recovered.

He finds himself back on the summer league roster, which is practically an open audition for the rest of the league. Even if he goes on a tear in Vegas, the Spurs will hope to use that as value to ship him off somewhere far away from the 210.

Anderson was a great college player, but like Richard Jefferson, he never panned out. Popovich ultimately gave up on the Spurs’ 2010 first-round draft pick.

Anderson appeared in 77 games with San Antonio, averaging 11.5 minutes per game. His 3-point prowess never quite translated to the NBA (32.5% shooting on 114 attempts).

He struggled to find his role on the team, which helped San Antonio find assets out of guards, Danny Green and Gary Neal. Despite his shortcomings, James Anderson still has a shot to help the Spurs find more talent.

Sure he wasn’t great in the NBA, but Anderson by Summer League standards is a bit of a vet. He’s been around the team, and can help some of the younger guys trying to find a role not only with the Spurs, but in the NBA. These young guys on the team will be looking to Jacque Vaughn, obviously.

However, they will be wanting assistance from Anderson, Kawhi Leonard, and Cory Joseph. The reason being: Anderson has been with the squad for two years, he knows how Popovich likes to run things, and any insight will be beneficial to younger players devoid of NBA experience.

It is a shame Anderson never worked out in San Antonio, because he didn’t win the 2010 Big 12 Player of the Year for nothing. Anderson had potential, but the Spurs have found other pieces that fit better to the puzzle. Dragging Anderson along for another season wouldn’t be beneficial for anyone involved.

Vegas should be a time for Anderson to showcase his abilities, show the other teams what he is capable of doing. The Spurs helped Alonzo Gee and Garrett Temple move on to teams where they can earn more playing time.

Maybe for Anderson’s sake, the same will happen for him.